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Preliminary Climate Summary for June

July 01, 2016

Preliminary June Climate Summary:

For most of Minnesota June was warm, with an average monthly temperature that ranged from 1 to 3°F greater than normal. A few areas of northern Minnesota reported slightly cooler than normal mean June temperature values. Extreme temperatures ranged from 100 degrees F at Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) on the 12th to just 28 degrees F at Embarrass (St Louis County) on the 8th. A few days with dew points in the 70s F pushed the Heat Index above 100 degrees F at several locations and caused the National Weather Service to issue several Heat Advisories.

Rainfall for the month was near normal in most areas, except for west-central counties, and some isolated areas of northwestern Minnesota in the Red River Valley, which reported less than normal rainfall for the month. Above normal rainfall was reported by some observers, especially in southeastern and northeastern areas. Eveleth, Tower, Brimson, and Two Harbors reported over 7 inches for the month, and Houston in southeastern Minnesota reported over 8 inches.. The largest one day rain storm was 5.25 inches just southwest of Mankato over June 14-15. Several areas of the state reported some short-lived flooding from severe thunderstorms, and a number of tornadoes were reported, along with large hail. At least 36 new daily rainfall records were reported during June from Minnesota’s weather observer networks. Some Minnesota farmers had to replant fields due to wash-outs or hail damage.

Cool start to July:

July 1st brought below normal temperatures to the state. Many northern areas reported morning lows in the 30s F, including 35°F at Hibbing and Embarrass, and 34°F at Brimson. Elk River in central Minnesota reported a new record low of 47°F and Kabetogama in Voyageurs National Park reported a new record low of 38°F. These temperature values are about 10-15°F below normal for July 1st. It was for many the coldest start to the month of July since 1969.

80th Anniversary of Minnesota's worst Heat Wave:

Next week marks the 80th Anniversary of the start of Minnesota's worst Heat Wave. It started in southern counties on July 4, 1936 with many observers reporting daytime temperatures over 100F. The Heat Wave spread north over the next 12-15 days. Even northern communities reported temperatures close to 100F, and nighttime temperatures remained in the 80s F in many areas, falling into the 70s F near lakes and in low lying areas. There was no respite from the heat, as many citizens chose to sleep outside. It is estimated that this Heat Wave caused over 900 deaths in Minnesota and at least 5000 deaths across the nation. It was also combined with serious drought.

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

Earth and Space Science News featured an interesting article this week about the exit of the United Kingdom from the EU, and expected negative impacts on the European science community. Many scientists think this will make it more difficult to work collaboratively among various national institutions in Europe.

Another article this week published by EOS features a story about citizen scientists who in recent years have been helping to collect sea ice data in the Arctic Ocean. These data have been used by a number of organizations who are studying the decline in Arctic Sea Ice as it relates to global climate change.

The Minnesota State Climatology Office offered its first rendition of the “Summer Glory Index: this week. June of 2016 ranked as the 24th nicest in 114 years of records according to the SCO.

A recent paper in the journal Nature Communications suggests that obtaining better soils data will be beneficial in predicting future crop productivity under various scenarios of climate change. In some regions of the world soils and soil management is the primary driver of crop yield, more so than climate variability or the deployment of farm technology.

MPR listener question:

When was the hottest 4th of July in Minnesota? Also when was the wettest?

Answer:

In the Twin Cities Metro Area, the hottest July 4th was in 2012 when it hit 101 degrees F and the Heat Index reached 108 degrees F. In 1949, the 4th of July temperature in the Twin Cities reached 100°F with a Heat Index of 111°F. The wettest was in 1900 when 2.27 inches of rain fell in the Twin Cities. Statewide the hottest July 4th was in 1936 when both Pipestone and Worthington reported 107 degrees F. The all-time wettest July 4th was in 1995 when Milan received 9.78 inches of rainfall that produced flash flooding. The Chippewa River rose 9 feet and reached its 2nd highest ever flood crest. Thirty-two sheep were drowned in the flood.

Twin Cities Almanac for July 1st:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 83 degrees F (plus or minus 7 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 63 degrees F (plus or minus 7 degrees F standard deviation).

Average dew point for July 1st is 58 degrees F, with a maximum of 78 degrees F in 1916 and a minimum of 34 degrees F in 2001.

All-time state records for July 1st:

The state record high temperature for this date is 105 degrees F at Winona (Winona County) in 1911. The state record low temperature for this date is 30 degrees F at Brimson (St Louis County) in 1988. State record precipitation for this date is 8.00 inches at Theilman (Wabasha County) in 1978; and no measurable snowfall has occurred on this date.

Past Weather Features:

Perhaps the warmest ever start to the month of July occurred in 1911, when many observers reported temperatures of 100°F or higher. Even Itasca State Park reported an afternoon temperature of 100°F. The nighttime temperatures remained in the 70s as well.

July 1, 1969 was sweater weather form many Minnesota citizens. In northern and central counties morning temperatures dropped into the 30s F, while as far south as Preston it fell to just 40 degrees F. Many areas saw daytime highs only make it into the 60s F as well.

June 30 to July 1, 1978 brought damaging flash flooding to many eastern sections of the state. Over a 14-hour period 6-9 inches of rain fell over broad ares of southeastern Minnesota. Red Wing and Theilman reported a storm total of 10 inches. This storm began a very wet month of July in 1978.

Outlook:

Mostly sunny with near normal temperatures through the weekend and on July 4th. There will be a chance for showers and thunderstorms by next Tuesday. Temperatures will also climb to above normal values by the middle of next week.